Why don't we see the Geminids twice a year?

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In summary, the Geminids are visible every year around December 13-16 as a result of the fragments of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon colliding with the Earth's atmosphere. This is because we pass through the orbit of the asteroid twice every year, but the orbits are not always aligned. Therefore, the Geminids are not always visible in early November. The meteor count varies each year due to the uneven distribution of the debris following the orbit of the asteroid. It is also worth noting that Phaethon 3200 is not a comet, but an asteroid.
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dmayers94
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We see the Geminids as a result of the fragments of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon colliding with the Earth's atmosphere. They are visible every year around December 13-16. As you can see in this NASA simulation (http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=Phaethon;orb=1), we pass through the orbit of the asteroid twice every year (around Dec. 14 and Nov. 1). The circumstances seem to be the same on both dates, so why is it that I don't hear about the Geminids in early November?
 
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Rotate the orbit diagram to see that the ex-comet's orbit doesn't actually intersect with the Earth's orbit twice.
In November the two orbits are not plane-aligned.
 
  • #3
We may cross Phaeton's orbit twice a year, but Phaeton itself isn't always where we cross it. So why should the Geminids be? Or are they spread out evenly over the whole orbit?
 
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Thank you Bandersnatch!
 
  • #5
Michael Redei said:
We may cross Phaeton's orbit twice a year, but Phaeton itself isn't always where we cross it. So why should the Geminids be? Or are they spread out evenly over the whole orbit?
Yeah they're spread out, but not evenly. The meteor count each year varies due to this.
The meteors are just a bunch of debris following the same orbit that the asteroid from which it probably fell off.

Also, I've just noticed that Phaeton3200 is not only not a comet, but it's also not-gone, so my previous post shouldn't read "ex-comet" but "asteroid".
 

FAQ: Why don't we see the Geminids twice a year?

Why do we only see the Geminids meteor shower once a year?

The Geminids meteor shower is an annual event that occurs in mid-December. This is because the Earth's orbit around the Sun intersects with the debris trail left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which is responsible for the Geminids. This intersection only occurs once a year, resulting in the annual meteor shower.

Can we see the Geminids meteor shower more than once a year?

No, the Geminids meteor shower can only be seen once a year due to the Earth's orbit and the specific timing of the debris trail from 3200 Phaethon. However, there are other meteor showers that occur throughout the year that can be seen at different times.

Why is the Geminids meteor shower so consistent in its timing each year?

The Geminids meteor shower is consistent in its timing each year because the debris trail left behind by 3200 Phaethon is also consistent in its orbit around the Sun. Therefore, the Earth's orbit intersects with the debris trail at the same time each year, resulting in the consistent timing of the meteor shower.

Are there any factors that could affect the visibility of the Geminids meteor shower?

Yes, there are several factors that could affect the visibility of the Geminids meteor shower. These include weather conditions, light pollution, and the phase of the Moon. If there are cloudy skies, light pollution from cities, or a bright Moon, it may be more difficult to see the meteors from the Geminids shower.

Can we predict the exact date and time of the Geminids meteor shower each year?

Yes, scientists are able to predict the date and time of the Geminids meteor shower each year with a high degree of accuracy. This is because the Earth's orbit and the debris trail from 3200 Phaethon are well-studied and understood. However, there may be slight variations in the intensity and number of meteors seen each year due to various factors such as the Earth's atmosphere and the size of the debris particles.

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